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I believe it was October of last year – Breeah and I had just finalized our Australia plans for the following March. My father and I had a conversation about the final qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup, of which I had no intention of actually attending. Visiting Russia couldn’t have been further from …

Victory Square in downtown Kaliningrad during the World Cup

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Victory Square

Back of the Amber Museum/Rosgarten Gate. An original part of Konigsberg’s city walls

An ornate ship made mostly of amber. This and many other incredible designs are housed in Kaliningrad’s Amber Museum

McDonalds, a relatively new phenomenon in Kaliningrad

Kaliningrad was definitely abuzz in the days leading up to the game. A lot of popular restaurants dot this particular street, which if walked in the direction the photo is facing, will eventually lead you to the FIFA Fan Fest by the House of the Soviets.

The remaining ruins of the Konigsberg Castle

The House of the Soviets, which dominates the area just south of Victory Square

Murals under the bridge. One seems to depict the success of the 1972 Soviet basketball team – which is still a huge point of controversy in the eyes of Americans

The submarine we boarded at the Museum of the World Ocean

Looking straight down a torpedo cannon of a Soviet sub…

The historic Konigsberg Cathedral, perhaps the most famous structure in modern day Kaliningrad

Russian boats anchored along the Pregoyla River

My new friends from the U.S. (left and right) and Moscow (middle)

The fishing village in Kaliningrad, as viewed from the river

I made it!

A lot of fan fare before the match began

Game on!

My new friend Zach and I after the match – yes, we both happen to be Capitals fans.